Magnetic shower drape and liner

ABSTRACT

A Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner comprising: a drape of fabric with the dimensions of a bathtub and/or shower stall, with a magnetized upper flap and or flaps, and left and right magnetized lower flaps. The magnets on the upper flap(s) of the drape form two parallel, aligned rows; a row on the outer border and a row on the inner border of the upper flap of the drape that fasten when the magnets of the outer border of the upper flap(s) of the drape fold(s) over a horizontal rod and aligns with the magnets on the inner border of the upper flap of the drape, holding the drape in position on a horizontal rod. The outer and inner borders of the right and left flaps are lined vertically with magnets that align and fasten, holding the drape open and or closed at the inner border of the right and left lower flaps, preventing the splashing of water from a bathtub and or shower stall while in use.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a means of preventing the splashing of water out of a shower stall that is in use. The strategically placed magnets: allow the drape to be easily positioned in place on a shower rod; facilitates the opening and closing of the drape, and serve an aesthetic purpose.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The problem of keeping water inside of the shower stall during a shower has commonly been solved using a shower curtain and or shower curtain liner. Shower curtains and liners have to be changed periodically due to the build-up of mold, soap scum, and other undesired residues. Shower curtains and liners are often positioned on a shower rod using hooks, rings, clamps, rods and other time consuming, frustrating fasteners. The magnetic shower drape and liner use magnetism between strategically placed magnets to facilitate: quick and easy positioning of the drape on the shower rod, and effectively preventing the leakage of water from the bathtub and shower stall.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Magnetically Attractable Fastening Device, U.S. Patent No. 20090283197 issued Nov. 19, 2009 to Gorodisher describes a device comprising magnetically attractable ends joined together by a flexible bridge. The purpose of the device is to serve as a clasp and or closure for various garments and accessories for example hand bags and wallets.

Hook Free Curtain and fixture thereof, U.S. Patent No. 20080178423 issued Jul. 31, 2008 to Patel describes a hook free curtain and fixture thereof featuring snap on or clip on curtain fixtures comprising a said “male portion” and said “female portion” that interlock securely in place. The purpose of the hook free curtain and fixture thereof is to secure shower curtains, drapes and other items that need securing with minimal assembly.

Hanging Products, U.S. Pat No. 7,296,609 issued Aug. 23, 2005 to Zahner describes hanging products used for suspending an item from a rod with a ring having a gap, the ring having a moveable member for opening and closing the gap.

Shower Curtain, U.S. Pat No. 20060200901 filed Sep. 14, 2006 by Beyda describes a shower curtain for mounting over an outer rim of a bathtub in order to prevent billowing of shower curtains inward toward the bather.

Magnetically Held Curtain, U.S. Pat No. 2212326 filed Jul. 13, 1938 by Piken describes a design that interlocks magnets in order to hang a curtain. This invention differs from the Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner in that the Magnetically Held Curtain lacks the folding flap(s) of the drape over a horizontal shower rod to hold the drape in place.

Interlocking Magnetic Coupling Members, U.S. Pat. No. 8,525,626 issued Sep. 13, 2013 to Davis, Fairorth and Tait describes magnetically coupling members used to assemble and disassemble stages and platforms that require the aligning and locking of magnets to connect separate parts together.

Shower Curtain Lock, U.S. Pat No. 20110197353, issued Aug. 18, 2011 to Pierce describes a shower curtain lock that uses magnets to maintain the shower curtain in place against the adjacent wall in the shower area in order to reduce the splashing of water out of the shower area. The Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner use magnets for aesthetics and functionally as fasteners for the upper fold and midline of the drape.

Magnetic Drying Apparatus, U.S. Pat No. 20080120865, issued May 29, 2008 to Smith describes an apparatus for drying flexible objects for example: gloves, bags; using magnetically coupled suspensions.

Shower Curtain Fastening System, U.S. Pat No. 20060185072, issued Aug. 24, 2006 to Dyckow describes a kit used in a shower enclosure with a shower curtain functioning by snapping several components together in order for them to interact and hold the shower curtain in place. This invention does not utilize magnets as a component for fastening the shower curtain in place.

Drape and Method of Making Same, U.S. Pat No. 20130180670, issued Jul. 18, 2013 to Judkins describes a drape made from a series of strips of material organized side by side and attached in a specific manner. The Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner defines drape as a piece of cloth intending to obscure.

DRAPE U.S. Pat No. 20130056011, issued Mar. 7, 2013 to Taub and Butsch describes the DRAPE as a pouch formed from sheet material, the purpose of the DRAPE is to catch medical instruments in jeopardy of falling to the floor preventing contamination.

Shower Curtain Holder, U.S. Pat No. 3,934,636 issued, Jan. 27, 1976 to Simmons describes a shower curtain holder which effectively holds the curtain close to the front wall of the shower.

Easy Curtain U.S. Pat No. 6,098,699 issued, Aug. 8, 2000 to Junius describes a shower curtain and rod assembly that is a convenient, simple and easy way to remove and replace a shower curtain and or liner.

Shower Curtain Apparatus U.S. Pat No. 6,163,899 issued Dec. 26, 2000 to Leonard describes a curtain apparatus with a flexible pocket assembly comprising but not limited to a transparent front portion and hook reception channels designed to serve as a curtain apparatus.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with the invention; The Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner, replaces the standard shower curtain and or shower curtain liner which utilizes: hooks, rings, clamps, rods and/or any other time consuming, complicated, fastening device.

The Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner is made from a uniform piece of fabric that is opened at the right and left lower flaps. The fabric length and width are designed to fit the height and width of the standard bathtub and shower stall with the option to customize the design and dimensions of the body of the drape.

The magnets serve a functional and aesthetic purpose. Functionally, the upper flap and or flaps of the drape are folded over a horizontal shower rod. The two parallel rows of magnets lined horizontally on the upper flap; specifically the magnets lined horizontally on the outer peripheral border and the magnets lined horizontally on the lower inner border of the upper flap align and fasten through magnetism, holding the Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner in place on a horizontal shower rod. The vertical magnets at the inner borders of the right and left lower flaps of the drape function to close the drape while the shower stall is in use, preventing the leakage of water from the bathtub and shower stall. In addition, the vertical magnets at the inner and outer borders of the right and left lower flaps can be fastened, holding the lower flaps of the drape in an open position. Aesthetically, the magnets may vary in color, size and shape depending on the desired decorative and or ornamental design.

The Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner, is manufactured from fabrics such as: burlap, cotton, hemp, latex, linen, nylon, recycled materials and fabrics, spandex, silk, vinyl, water-proof plastic and wool. The magnets function as fasteners as well as decorations. The magnets are composed of permanent hard ferrite. The magnets will be adhered to the drape using a variety of techniques for example: glued, adhesive pads, heat sealed, stitched.

The Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner, has a plurality of applications; the primary function being to prevent the splashing of water out of a bath or shower stall during a shower. The magnets function: to keep the drape in place on a horizontal shower rod; to close the opening of the drape and to keep the drape open.

The Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner, is easily installed. The upper flap of the drape is folded over a horizontal rod and secured in place when the outer and inner horizontally positioned magnets of the upper flap fasten, placing the horizontal shower rod between the horizontally aligned magnets of the upper flap of the drape.

The Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner, is unique in the ease with which it is positioned in place over the width of a horizontal shower rod. The Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner eliminate the time consuming, frustrating techniques often employed by shower curtain hooks, rings, clamps, rods and other types of fasteners. In addition, the magnets have an aesthetic value, being used for decorative and ornamental purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the body of the Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner with the upper flap open (one uniform flap) and the right and left lower flaps closed.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the body of the Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner with the upper flaps (multiple flaps) open. The right and left lower flaps are closed.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the body of the Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner with the upper flap folded in position over the horizontal shower rod. The right and left lower flaps are closed.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the body of the Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner with the upper flap folded in position over the shower rod and the right and left lower flaps folded back, in the open position.

FIG. 5 is an exploded front view of the magnets aligning, functioning to fasten the drape in position.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the magnets completely aligned, functioning to fasten the drape in position.

FIG. 7 is a top angled view of the body of the Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner. The upper flap is open (one uniform flap) and the right and left lower flaps are closed. This is the first step in positioning the Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner on a horizontal shower rod.

FIG. 8 is a front angled view of the Body of the Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner. The upper flap is being folded over the shower rod and the right and left lower flaps are closed. This is the second step in positioning the Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner on a horizontal shower rod.

FIG. 9 is a front angled view of the body of the Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner. The upper flap is completely folded over the shower rod. The magnets of the upper and lower borders of the upper flap of the drape are completely aligned, positioning the drape in place on the shower rod. The right and left lower flaps are closed. The third step in positioning the Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner on a horizontal shower rod.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with FIGS. 1 and 2 the body of the drape (1), manufactured from materials/fabrics selected from but not limited to burlap, cotton, hemp, latex, linen, nylon, recycled fabrics, spandex, silk, vinyl, water proof plastic, and wool, includes the upper flap and or flaps (2), the right lower flap (6) and left lower flap (7) of the drape. The dimensions for the width, length and thickness of the fabrics employed will vary according to the area needed to be draped by the Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner.

In accordance with FIGS. 6 and 7 the magnets (12) are manufactured from but not limited to: permanent hard ferrite magnets, such as: aluminum, cobalt, iron, iron oxide, lodestone, manganese, magnetite, nickel, and zinc. The magnets can be decorated magnetic pieces and or magnetic strips. The magnets have an additional ornamental and or decorative purpose, adding to the aesthetic value of the Magnetic Shower Drape and Liner.

In accordance with FIG. 3 the upper flap(s) of the drape fold(s) over the length of a horizontal shower rod, then fastens in place when the magnets on the inner(5) and outer(4) magnetized borders of the upper flap align.

In accordance with FIG. 7, step 1, the upper flap of the drape is held parallel to the horizontal shower rod, then, in accordance with FIG. 8, step 2, the outer magnetized border of the upper flap (4) of the drape is folded into position over the horizontal shower rod in the direction of the shower stall/bathtub, lastly, in accordance with FIG. 9 step 3 the outer magnetized border (4) and the inner magnetized border (5) of the upper flap of the drape are held in position over the shower rod when the magnets align and fasten.

In accordance with FIG. 3 the right lower flap (6) and left lower flap (7) of the drape close at the midline when the vertically placed magnets and or magnetic strips on the inner magnetized border of the right flap (8) and the inner magnetized border of the left flap (10) align and fasten.

In accordance with FIG. 4 the drape is maintained in the open position when: the inner magnetized border of the right lower flap (8) is folded back and the magnets of the outer magnetized border of the right lower flap (9) and inner magnetized border of the right lower flap (8) align and fasten; and the inner magnetized border of the left lower flap (10) is folded back and the magnets of the outer magnetized border of the left lower flap (11) and inner magnetized border of the left lower flap(10) align and fasten.

REFERENCES

-   U.S. Pat No. 20060260040 issued on Nov. 23, 2006 to Schmidt -   U.S. Pat No. 20130117927 issued on May 6, 2013 to Woodruff -   Shower Curtain Apparatus U.S. Pat No. 6163899 issued Dec. 26, 2000     to Leonard -   Easy Curtain U.S. Pat No. 6098699 issued, Aug. 8, 2000 to Junius -   Shower Curtain Holder, U.S. Pat No. 3934636 issued, Jan. 27, 1976 to     Simmons -   DRAPE U.S. Pat No. 20130056011, issued Mar. 7, 2013 to Taub and     Butsch -   Drape and Method of Making Same, U.S. Pat No. 20130180670, issued     Jul. 18, 2013 to Judkins -   Shower Curtain Fastening System, U.S. Pat No. 20060185072, issued     Aug. 24, 2006 to Dyckow -   Magnetic Drying Apparatus, U.S. Pat No. 20080120865, issued May 29,     2008 to Smith -   Shower Curtain Lock, U.S. Pat No. 20110197353, issued Aug. 18, 2011     to Pierce -   Interlocking Magnetic Coupling Members, U.S. Pat. No. 8,525,626     issued Sep. 13, 2013 to Davis, Fairorth and Tait -   Magnetically Held Curtain, U.S. Pat No. 2,212,326 filed Jul. 13,     1938 by Piken -   Shower Curtain, U.S. Pat No. 20060200901 filed Sep. 14, 2006 by     Beyda -   Hanging Products, U.S. Pat No. 7,296,609 issued Aug. 23, 2005 to     Zahner Hook Free Curtain and fixture thereof, U.S. Patent No.     20080178423 issued Jul. 31, 2008 to Patel -   Magnetically Attractable Fastening Device, U.S. Patent No.     20090283197 issued Nov. 19, 2009 to Gorodisher

FIGS. 1 to 9 REFERENCE NUMBERS/LABELS FOR FIGS. 1-9

-   1—Body of the Drape -   2—Upper Flap of the Drape -   3—Lower Flaps of the Drape -   4—Outer magnetized border of the upper flap(s) of the Drape -   5—Inner magnetized border of the upper flap(s) of the Drape -   6—Right Lower Flap of the Drape -   7—Left Lower Flap of the Drape -   8—Inner magnetized border of the right lower flap of the drape -   9—Outer magnetized border of the right lower flap of the drape -   10—Inner magnetized border of the left lower flap of the drape -   11—Outer magnetized border of the left lower flap of the drape -   12—Two Magnets Aligned -   12(a)—S. Magnet -   12(b)—N. Magnet -   13—Shower Head -   14—Shower Rod -   15—Shower Stall/Bathtub 

1. A magnetic shower drape and liner with a plurality of applications and dimension of length and width comprising, a textile/fabric, and or water-proof plastic drape with 1 or more magnets positioned horizontally along the width of the: Outer magnetized border of the upper flap(s) of the Drape and Inner magnetized border of the upper flap(s) of the Drape, 1 or more magnets positioned vertically along the length of the: Outer magnetized border of the right lower flap of the drape and Outer magnetized border of the left lower flap of the drape, 1 or more magnets positioned vertically along the length of the: Inner magnetized border of the right lower flap of the drape and the Inner magnetized border of the left lower flap of the drape at the opening of the drape, said magnets functioning to fasten the drape: in a horizontal position on a horizontal rod; in a closed vertical position at the Inner magnetized border of the right lower flap of the drape and Inner magnetized border of the left lower flap of the drape, and in an open position at the Inner and Outer magnetized border of the right lower flap of the drape and Inner and Outer magnetized border of the left lower flap of the drape.
 2. A magnetic shower drape and liner with a plurality of applications functionally utilizing the mechanism of magnetism between two magnets to fasten the magnetic shower drape and or liner: horizontally along the width of the: Outer magnetized border of the upper flap(s) of the Drape and Inner magnetized border of the upper flap(s) of the Drape, in a closed vertical position at the Inner magnetized border of the right lower flap of the drape and Inner magnetized border of the left lower flap of the drape, and in an open position at the Inner and Outer magnetized border of the right lower flap of the drape and Inner and Outer magnetized border of the left lower flap of the drape.
 3. A magnetic shower drape and liner with a plurality of applications comprising an upper flap of one uniform piece of drape functioning as a uniform flap that folds horizontally over the width of a horizontal rod and is fastened in place by the magnetism between aligned magnets: the magnets positioned horizontally along the width of the Outer magnetized border of the upper flap of the Drape align and fasten with the magnets positioned horizontally along the Inner magnetized border of the upper flap of the Drape.
 4. The magnetic shower drape and liner of claim 3, wherein said drape, with a plurality of applications comprising an upper flap divided into multiple pieces of drape functions by using multiple flaps that fold horizontally over the width of a horizontal rod and are fastened in place by the magnetism between aligned magnets: the magnets positioned horizontally along the width of the Outer magnetized border of the upper flaps of the Drape align and fasten with the magnets positioned horizontally along the Inner magnetized border of the upper flaps of the Drape.
 5. The functionality of the magnetic shower drape and liner of claim 1, wherein said drape is closed at the right and left lower flaps of the drape by the magnetism between aligned magnets: the magnets positioned vertically along the length of the Inner magnetized border of the right lower flap of the drape and Inner magnetized border of the left lower flap of the drape align and fasten the drape in the closed position.
 6. The functionality of the magnetic shower drape and liner of claim 1, wherein said drape is secured in an open position by the magnetism between: the magnets positioned vertically along the length of the Inner magnetized border of the right lower flap of the drape and Outer magnetized border of the right lower flap of the drape align and fasten in the open position; and the magnets positioned vertically along the length of the Inner magnetized border of the left lower flap of the drape and the Outer magnetized border of the left lower flap of the drape align and fasten in the open position.
 7. The magnetic shower drape and liner of claim 1, wherein said drape is selected from the group of textiles and fabrics consisting essentially of: burlap, cotton, hemp, latex, linen, nylon, recycled fabrics, spandex, silk, vinyl, water proof plastic, and wool.
 8. The magnetic shower drape and liner of claim 1, wherein said magnets as they relate to the function as fasteners may be individual magnets and or magnetic strips selected from the group consisting essentially of: permanent hard ferrite magnets, such as: aluminum, cobalt, iron, iron oxide, lodestone, manganese, magnetite, nickel, and zinc. 